Blackhawks Defenseman Duncan Keith Suspended For Game Four Of Western Conference Finals

Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — If the Chicago Blackhawks want to win Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, they’ll have to do it on the road without one of their best defensemen.

Duncan Keith received a one-game suspension for high-sticking the Los Angeles Kings’ Jeff Carter during Game 3, the NHL’s department of player safety announced Wednesday.

Keith and Carter were skating near one another when Keith swung his stick upward and struck Carter in the face. Carter had to get 20 stitches and also chipped a tooth.

“Although Keith asserts he did not intend to hit Carter in the face or hit him with such force, he does admit to intentionally swinging his stick at Carter as Carter is skating away from him,” NHL vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan said. “It also should be noted even if Carter did chop down on top of Keith’s hand, that still does not justify the extent of Keith’s actions.”

The Blackhawks currently lead the best-of-seven series two games to one.